Subnanosecond periodically Q-switched neodymium glass laser

A train of pulses of ~5×10^–10 sec duration and ~2×10^–2 J energy was generated by a periodically Q-switched neodymium glass laser. The width of the emission spectrum was ~3.0 nm and the contrast of the emitted radiation exceeded 10³. Pulse generation started after 10–20 passes through the resonator. The pulses could be synchronized with external apparatus to within ~10^–9 sec. Stable generation of pulse trains was observed when the pumping rate exceeded considerably the threshold value. A laser of this kind could be used as a source of short pulses which could then be amplified effectively in high-power neodymium-glass systems.